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“It’s a pleasure caring for you,” I tell her, meaning the words.
“Ditto,” she says.
I sit back with my drink, wanting to trigger her memories. “Do you remember that case where we infiltrated the art gallery?” I ask. “You mastered the art of blending in effortlessly with the high society crowd. I guess you’ve been doing it all of your life. We solved that case while dancing through a sea of priceless art most people can’t even afford to look at.”
Jasmine chuckles. “My life really does sound like something straight out of a movie, doesn’t it? I don’t remember so you have to tell me about it.”
My heart thumps a bit, but I push away the pain; she doesn’t remember these moments that meant so much to both of us. I don’t mind telling her the stories though. I’ll do it again and again if that’s what she needs or wants.
“We were working undercover, posing as a snobby couple looking to throw our cash around. You were the perfect debutante while I was your suave and charming partner in crime. We gathered clues and pieced together the complex web of deceit that led to us busting an international smuggling operation.” Dang, that had been fun.
Jasmine’s eyes are aglow with excitement. This is exactly the kind of case she loves the most. She loves being undercover. “Oh, I want to remember. I’m sure it will come to me. Did we get any treasure in the end?” She’s leaning toward me, and I’m so focused on her I don’t notice any of the other family members sitting in the large private jet with us.
“We got each other,” I tell her, remembering well our night after that. Jasmine had been riding high, and we made love until the sun broke through the horizon. But I’m not saying this in front of her parents and grandfather. No way. I don’t want to be thrown from the jet at 30,000 feet in the sky.
She demands more stories, and the next few hours pass in a blur as we share moments of laughter, and reminisce about past cases, some she remembers and some she doesn’t. It’s always easy with Jasmine. It has been from the start. The more relaxed she becomes, the more we will find each other again. I know it’s possible.
She takes my hand and takes me with her to a couch where I pull her into my arms. I haven’t tried to kiss her since she’s woken, and it’s killing me, but we’re making progress with me simply holding her.
“I clearly remember the first time I laid eyes on you,” I whisper, my voice filled with fondness. “It was a zoo at your condo with a million Andersons there. I might not have known at the time I was going to fall in love with you, but I was immediately impressed with your bravery, your unwavering commitment to justice, and your confidence. I knew we’d make a good team.”
“I felt the connection between us, Hunter. I feel bad I’ve forgotten so much,” she replies, her fingers tracing my hand as it rests against her.
I turn my palm and take her fingers in mine, intertwining them as we’ve done a thousand times before. “It doesn’t matter if you remember every moment we’ve shared. What’s important is what we have right here and now. How many people get to start all over again? What a blessing this is for us. I get to prove to you twice what you mean to me, and I’ll do everything in my power to be the man worthy of you.”
Jasmine looks at me with wonder and confusion in her gaze. I can’t imagine how hard this is for her. I love her enough to walk through every obstacle to be worthy of her love.
The jet begins its descent into Seattle, and a whole lot of nerves set in. Jasmine’s memories will be fragmented for some time and there’s no guarantee we’ll fall back into where we were before. She might come home and miss this world so much she’ll never want to leave again. If that’s what she wants, I’ll have to accept it. I sure as hell hope it’s not.
We arrive and step off the jet to be greeted by more of Jasmine’s family. This isn’t a typical family, not at all. It’s huge, and it’s loving, which I didn’t expect with the amount of money these people have. I’m not sure they’re fully accepting of me, but they’re polite. It’s more than I can ask for in these circumstances. They have to wonder what my intentions are toward Jasmine.
I refuse to let doubts deter me. I’m determined to prove to Jasmine’s family, and to this woman I love, that our love is real, and it’s certainly worth fighting for. Together, we will navigate this. We’ll find our past and we’ll make a new future. We might even discover a hell of a lot more about ourselves that we both love and hate.
A perfectly clean, sleek black limousine is waiting for us near the jet, reminding me again that I’m out of my element. If I stand a chance of making this work, I have to push these types of thoughts out of my head. Money is just money, it doesn’t matter. It isn’t what defines me or Jasmine.
We move to the vehicle and the door’s opened, showing a luxurious interior. We climb inside, the freshly polished leather enveloping us as the seats cradle our worn bodies after flying across the country.
The limo pulls away from the airport and I sit in back without saying much. I’m getting my bearings as we make our way through the vibrant streets of Seattle. I love that Miami is full of life. Seattle is a different world to me. The city skyline is adorned with towering glass buildings, and wall to wall people like most major US cities. Though Seattle is on the ocean, it’s not half as beautiful an ocean as the Atlantic... in my humble opinion.
Our vehicle quickly arrives at a massive estate nestled in the most exclusive neighborhood in this metropolis. We make our way down a long tree-lined driveway, discovering lush, meticulously manicured gardens leading to the biggest mansion I’ve ever seen. I step from the limo, not afraid to admit I’m in awe. Jasmine’s larger-than-life grandfather smiles as we reach his home.
“You’re finally home, my darling girl,” Joseph says as he holds her close. Joseph Anderson is not only a titan of a man, but he’s built this empire with brilliance and love. It’s clear there’s nothing he loves more than his family... including his first-born grandchild who he might think I’m trying to take from him.
He suddenly gives me his full attention, something he’s been doing far too much of in my humble opinion. “Are you happy to be here, Hunter?”
“I’m happy to be wherever Jasmine can get the best care,” I carefully reply.
Joseph lets out a boisterous laugh. “Good answer,” he says as he pats my back so hard it nearly makes me stumble. “Do you think you’re made of strong enough stuff to win my girl twice?”
His words are a challenge, but I also see approval in his eyes. I think this giant of a man likes me. I have no doubt he can make me disappear if he doesn’t. I don’t want to think about the ways he can ensure I’m gone.
“I believe I’m irresistible,” I tell Joseph. I certainly have confidence, and the longer I walk through this new chapter with Jasmine, the more it returns. She fell for me, warts and all, just as I fell for her. We’re going to be okay.
Joseph laughs again as he leads us inside his massive home. “I like a man who knows exactly who he is,” Joseph tells me. “We’ll see if you can keep up with her.”
I look around this opulent mansion and push thoughts of money from my mind. The road ahead won’t be easy, but we’re going to make it because I’m not a man to give up on anything... especially the woman I love. I’ll prove myself to not only Jasmine, but to her family as well. Together Jasmine and I will navigate any waters, no matter how far out to sea we are.
ChapterSix
